The HCRN investigators and coordinators convened for the fall meeting Nov 7- 8 in Salt Lake City. It was the biggest meeting yet with 35 participants as our Vancouver and Nashville centers have completed their trial periods. John Kestle reviewed the acceleration in HCRN productivity as demonstrated by numerous publications anticipated by the end of the year. Exciting updates from all the investigators revealed steady progress on patient accrual in the Registry, the CSF Biomarker study and Ventricular Involvement in Neuropsychological Outcomes in pediatric Hydrocephalus (VINOH). Preliminary analysis of Shunting Outcomes for Post Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus (SOPHH) data and Infection Prevention data were presented. New study proposals were discussed in the areas of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy combined with Choroid Plexus Cauterization (ETV/CPC) to validate the work of Harvard’s Dr. Benjamin Warf, infection prevention and shunt placement techniques. The coordinators worked on the new data management system (OpenClinica). Small group sessions were used to discuss and update network policies and procedures. It was a very full day two days. The next meeting will be in Nashville in May 2014.
